Insulated bag with handles

An insulated bag assembly comprising:

• an insulated bag, the insulated bag comprising:
• a pair of opposing main panels, the pair of opposing main panels defining a bag cavity within the insulated bag, the insulated bag defining a top end and a bottom end, and a bag opening to the bag cavity defined at the top end;
• and
• a handle assembly, the handle assembly comprising a handle portion attached to a base portion, the base portion comprising a base strip, the base strip comprising a first strip and a second strip attached together in facing engagement, a bottom portion of the handle portion being laminated between the first strip and the second strip;
• the pair of opposing main panels defined in an insulated blank, the insulated blank comprising an insulation batt, a first sheet, and a second sheet, the insulation batt encapsulated between the first sheet and the second sheet, the first sheet attached in facing engagement with the second sheet to form a border, the border extending around a perimeter of the insulation batt, the base portion of the handle assembly being laminated within the border between the first sheet and the second sheet, the border defining at least one slit extending from the top end to the base strip, the at least one slit defined by the first sheet of the border, and the handle portion extending outward from the border through the first sheet;
• and
• an insulated panel, the insulated panel positioned within the bag cavity, the insulated panel comprising an insulation panel batt, a first panel sheet, and a second panel sheet, the insulation panel batt encapsulated between the first panel sheet and the second panel sheet, the first panel sheet attached in facing engagement with the second panel sheet to form a panel border, the panel border extending around a panel perimeter of the insulation panel batt, the panel border of the insulated panel forming a seal with the insulated bag.

A method for forming an insulated bag, the method comprising:

• positioning an insulation batt between a first sheet and a second sheet;
• attaching the first sheet and the second sheet in facing engagement to form a border, the border extending around a perimeter of the insulation batt, the border encapsulating the insulation batt and forming an insulated blank;
• laminating a base portion of a handle assembly within the border, the base portion comprising a base strip, the base strip comprising a first strip and a second strip attached together in facing engagement, a bottom portion of a handle portion of the handle assembly being laminated between the first strip and the second strip;
• cutting a slit through a portion of the first sheet, the portion of the first sheet being attached in facing engagement to the second sheet to form the border, the slit extending from an edge of the border to the base strip;
• pulling the handle portion of the handle assembly through the slit
• attaching a first portion of the border to a second portion of the border in facing engagement to form a seam;
• and
• folding the insulated blank along a fold line to form the insulated bag.